Ageing Population Strategy 2011-2014 - fs-drupal-rochford...

December 2011

Ageing Population Strategy

2011-2014

Rochford District Council

www.rochford.gov.uk

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Rochford District Council – Ageing Population Strategy 2011 - 2014

Contents Page

1 Introduction ............................................................................................5

2 What do we mean by older people?.......................................................5 Entering old age .....................................................................................5 Transitional phase..................................................................................6 Frail older people ...................................................................................6

3 The current situation – the national picture ............................................6 A Vision for Adult Social Care: capable communities and active communities. Dept. of Health, November 2010......................................7 Ageing Well programme, launched July 2010 ........................................8 Under pressure: Tackling the financial challenge for councils of an ageing population, Audit Commission, 2010 ..........................................8 Building a society for all ages, HM Government, 2009...........................8 Working together for older people in rural areas, DEFRA/Cabinet Office, 2009 .......................................................................................................8 Just ageing. Socio-economic inequalities in older people’s access to and use of public services, EHRC/Help the Aged/Age Concern, 2009...9 Empowering engagement: a stronger voice for older people, DWP, 2009 .......................................................................................................9 Never too late for living: Inquiry into services for older people, All Party Parliamentary Local Government Group, 2008 ......................................9 Don’t Stop Me Now: Preparing for an ageing population, Audit Commission, 2008..................................................................................9 Sure start to later life. Ending inequalities for older people, Social Exclusion Unit, 2006...............................................................................9 NHS framework for older people, Department of Health ........................9 National dementia strategy, Dept. of Health, Feb 2009........................10 Carers’ strategy, Dept. of Health, June 2008 .......................................10 Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods, Dept. for Communities and Local Government, Feb 2008...............................................................10

4 The current situation – the Essex picture .............................................10 Essex Later Life Strategy .....................................................................10 Essex Community Wellbeing Strategy .................................................11

5 The current situation – the Rochford picture ........................................11 Age profile ............................................................................................11 Age profile by Ward..............................................................................12

6 Why have a strategy for older people?.................................................14

7 Corporate vision ...................................................................................14

8 Listening to the views of older people ..................................................14

Making a Difference 3


9 Purpose of strategy ..............................................................................15 Support the financial security of older people.......................................15

Overview ...................................................................................15Current provision .......................................................................15Objectives for action ..................................................................16

Supporting access to mainstream services and information for older people ..................................................................................................16


To support older people to lead healthy and active lifestyles ...............18 Overview ...................................................................................18Current provision .......................................................................18Objectives for action ..................................................................18

To support older people to feel safe and supported in their home and their neighbourhood .............................................................................19


To support older people to make a positive contribution within their community............................................................................................20


Preparing RDC as an organisation to serve an ageing population.......21 Overview ...................................................................................21Objectives for action ..................................................................22

Action Plan 2011-12........................................................................................25



1 Introduction

1.1 The realisation that measures need to be put in place now to cope with the growth in the older population has gathered pace over the last decade. Central government has led the way in preparing the country for the inevitable pressure that will be placed on the existing services provided by the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. ‘Building a Society For All Ages’ is the latest strategy which seeks to address the challenges and create a vision for the future. The Audit Commission have also recognised this issue and released a series of reports focusing on the response of local authorities. The most recent of these reports ‘Under pressure - tackling the financial challenge for councils of an ageing population’ concludes that most council’s do not know enough about the potential costs of their ageing population. Recommendations are made to enable local authorities to prioritise this issue.

1.2 Recognising this issue at a local level, The Rochford Local Strategic Partnership identified “supporting the ageing population” as a priority in the Sustainable Community Strategy and this theme will be carried forward in the new Joint Local Strategic Partnership with Castle Point. The key objective is to support older people in the district to live independent lives for as long as possible and to receive high quality services when they need them.

1.3 The main purpose of this strategy is for Rochford District Council to take this key objective as its central theme and specifically outline a number of measures that would improve the overall wellbeing of older people in Rochford and support them to play an active role in their local community. Older people would be active and equal partners in this process.

2 What do we mean by older people?

2.1 The Audit Commission in its report entitled ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ defines anyone over the age of 50 as ‘older’. It highlights that people aged 50-65 are in a transitional period, with numerous life changing events taking place.

2.2 This view is supported in the National Service Framework for Older People1 places older people into three broad categories:

Entering old age

These are people who have completed their career in paid employment and/or child rearing. This is a socially-constructed definition of old age, which, according to different interpretations, includes people as young as 50, or from the official retirement ages. These people are active and independent and many remain so into late old age. The goals of health and social care policy are to promote and extend healthy active life, and to compress morbidity (the period of life before death spent in frailty and dependency).

1 National Service Framework for Older People, Department for Health, March 2001



Transitional phase

This group of older people are in transition between healthy, active life and frailty. This transition often occurs in the seventh or eighth decades but can occur at any stage of older age. The goals of health and social care policy are to identify emerging problems ahead of crisis, and ensure effective responses which will prevent crisis and reduce long-term dependency.

Frail older people

These people are vulnerable as a result of health problems such as stroke or dementia, social care needs or a combination of both. Frailty is often experienced only in late old age, so services for older people should be designed with their needs in mind. The goals of health and social care policy are to anticipate and respond to problems, recognising the complex interaction of physical, mental and social care factors, which can compromise independence and quality of life.

It is clear that not everyone over the age of 50 will consider themselves to be ‘old’ and to consider older people as one homogeneous group would be misleading. Future services need to be tailored to meet the diverse needs of all older people living in the district.

3 The current situation – the national picture

3.1 Nationally the population is ageing. In the UK as a whole, this ageing of the population is due to a combination of falling birth rates, the ageing of the baby boom generations and improved life expectancy. Most developed nations are experiencing a similar trend. In England the number of older people will increase dramatically in the next 20 years. In 2009 about 17.7 million were aged 50 or over. By 2029, this figure will have increased by more than a quarter to 22.9 million people.

3.2 The graph below gives a longer term demonstration of how the UK population has changed.

UK population by age 1983-2033, ONS online http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?ID=949


http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?ID=949


3.3 Inevitably an increased financial demand will be placed on local authorities to provide services to meet the needs in this growth of older people. It will be important for local partners, driven through the Local Strategic Partnership, to devise systems and processes that will develop a prevention based approach, rather than the crisis point intervention model that currently exists in many cases.

3.4 The Coalition Government is instigating a number of developments aimed at improving outcomes for older people and people who need health or care services, the majority of whom are older people. These build on previous evidence-based initiatives while also embodying new priorities such as local decision-making and accountability, providing transparent information, establishing a broad market of service providers, and promoting the idea of the Big Society. For example, one of the proposals in the white paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ is to transfer public health responsibilities to local authorities and give councils the responsibility of promoting integrated services, health improvement and partnership working through formal Health and Wellbeing Boards.

3.5 The Commission on Funding of Care and Support, led by Andrew Dilnot, has presented its findings to the Government in its report Fairer Care Funding, published on 4 July 2011. The independent commission was asked to recommend a fair and sustainable funding system for adult social care in England. Among the recommendations in the report are:

• Individuals’ lifetime contributions towards their social care costs – which are currently potentially unlimited – should be capped. After the cap is reached, individuals would be eligible for full state support. This cap should be between £25,000 and £50,000. We consider that £35,000 is the most appropriate and fair figure.

• The means-tested threshold, above which people are liable for their full care costs, should be increased from £23,250 to £100,000.

• National eligibility criteria and portable assessments should be introduced to ensure greater consistency.

• All those who enter adulthood with a care and support need should be eligible for free state support immediately rather than being subjected to a means test.

3.6 The Commission estimates that its proposals – based on a cap of £35,000 – would cost the State around £1.7billion.

3.7 At a national level, there have been a number of other strategies and initiatives that have been developed in response to the ageing population, these include:

A Vision for Adult Social Care: capable communities and active communities. Dept. of Health, November 2010

The Vision sets out how the Government wishes to see services delivered for people; a new direction for adult social care, putting personalised services and outcomes centre stage. A Big Society approach to social care is suggested which would allow local communities to maintain independence and prevent dependency. Local councils are asked to enable people, their carers, families and communities to support and maintain full and independent lives.



Ageing Well programme, launched July 2010

A new programme designed to support local authorities to improve their services for older people. The key aim of the programme is to provide a better quality of life for older people through local services that are designed to meet their needs, and which recognise the huge contribution that people in later life make to their local communities. It is a sector led programme which consolidates current best practice from local authorities and the lessons learned from earlier pilot activities. The programme is supported by the Department for Work and Pensions and will be delivered by Local Government Improvement and Development.

Under pressure: Tackling the financial challenge for councils of an ageing population, Audit Commission, 2010

Local Authorities face the challenge of an ageing population as public spending reduces. This report says most council’s do not know enough about the costs of their ageing population. They may also miss the savings that could flow from potential preventive services and better work with other organisations. A collection of tools are included in this report which are designed to help council’s tackle the financial challenge of an ageing population.

Building a society for all ages, HM Government, 2009

Central government’s response to the demographic changes resulting from an ageing population. The strategy is broken down into the following areas: improving later life today, the challenge ahead and a vision for the future, having the later life you want, older people at the heart of families, engaging with work and the economy, improving financial support, better public services for later life, building communities for all ages, working together to build a society for all ages.

The ‘Preparing for our ageing society’ discussion paper fed into this strategy.

Other key policy documents in this area include:

Working together for older people in rural areas, DEFRA/Cabinet Office, 2009

This report examines evidence on the social exclusion experienced by older people in rural areas and identifies examples of innovative service delivery that can make a real difference in these areas. Rural populations are set to age faster than urban populations over the next 20 years. Comparisons are made with older people in urban areas and challenges perceptions that older people in rural areas are better off, particularly for those at risk from social exclusion. Access to key services is highlighted as a particular problem.



Just ageing. Socio-economic inequalities in older people’s access to and use of public services, EHRC/Help the Aged/Age Concern, 2009

A report examining the socio-economic disparities in certain key public services, including health care, social care, housing and community and transport and technology. The report again highlights the need to involve older people when deciding policy. It concludes that inequalities are caused by:

• Differences in the perceived need for services.

• Differences in the awareness of what services are available.

• Difficulty in having their voice heard and navigating through service systems.

Empowering engagement: a stronger voice for older people, DWP, 2009

This is the government’s response to John Elbourne’s review of engagement with older people and how that engagement informs the actions and policy of government at all levels. The main impact on local government is the recommendation that Regional Forums should be set up to assist local authorities engage with older people.

Never too late for living: Inquiry into services for older people, All Party Parliamentary Local Government Group, 2008

This inquiry examines: changing public perceptions, local authority responsibility to map what services are available, promoting preventative initiatives, tailoring services to local needs, promoting volunteering and improved partnership working between health and social care providers.

Don’t Stop Me Now: Preparing for an ageing population, Audit Commission, 2008

This report looks at the challenges and opportunities facing England as its population gets older. It aims to help local public services adapt to the needs of an older and more diverse society, and identifies solutions that can be implemented quickly, as well as exploring how councils should plan strategically for the wider challenges ahead.

Sure start to later life. Ending inequalities for older people, Social Exclusion Unit, 2006

This report seeks to empower individuals and communities to become involved in reducing the social exclusion experienced by some older people. In addition, proposals are put forward to confront the social exclusion among older people.

NHS framework for older people, Department of Health

Sets standards of care for older people in hospital, at home and residential settings. Fitting services round peoples needs regardless of age is an underlying theme.



Some others include:

National dementia strategy, Dept. of Health, Feb 2009

Carers’ strategy, Dept. of Health, June 2008

Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods, Dept. for Communities and Local Government, Feb 2008

4 The current situation – the Essex picture

2010 2029

50+ 524,500 705,800

65+ 255,000 393,900

85+ 35,600 73,700

ONS: 2008-based Subnational Population Projections (experimental statistics), May 2010

4.1 The following responses to the increase in the older population have been prepared by Essex County Council:

Essex Later Life Strategy

This strategy outlines how Essex County Council will improve the quality of life for older people. According to the strategy the main outcomes are to:

• Increase healthy life expectancy at age 65.

• Increase the number of people over 65 stating that they receive the support they need to live independently at home.

• Reduce the percentage of pensioners in low income.

• Reduce the number of falls reported in each locality.

• Increase the number of 65+ accessing lifelong learning opportunities.

• Increase the employment rate of those aged over 50 to reduce the difference between this and the overall employment rate.

• Improve the feelings of safety for citizens in later life.

• Promote Independence in the home.

• Dispel the myth that people in later life are a burden.



Essex Community Wellbeing Strategy

The strategy aims to raise the profile of community wellbeing in Essex and asks partners to consider the impact of wellbeing in all they do and to maximise collaborative working. It will tackle inequalities to ensure geographical boundaries and/or group characteristics do not act as obstacles to wellbeing.

5 The current situation – the Rochford picture

5.1 In 2010, Rochford had a population of 83,400.2 The two graphs below show the estimated resident population of Rochford in 2008 compared to 2029. They show that the population is ageing. Rochford has fewer young people and young adults, and more over-representation of older age-groups; from 55+.

Age profile

Source: ONS mid-year population estimates, ONS 2009

2 ONS: Resident Population Estimates, All Persons, June 2010 (updated 30 June 2011)



Source: ONS population projections, ONS 2009

The table below gives a breakdown of persons over the age of 55 in the wards within the district. It shows that Hullbridge & Whitehouse currently have the highest proportion of 60+ year olds; almost one third, compared to less than one fifth in Downhall and Rawreth & Sweyne Park.

Age profile by Ward

Ward Name 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+Ashingdon and Canewdon

2886.17%

4018.59%

2745.87%

1863.98%

162 3.47%

1262.70%

1002.14%

Barling and Sutton 1105.84%

1457.69%

854.51%

713.77%

69 3.66%

462.44%

331.75%

Downhall and Rawreth 3006.31%

3527.41%

1924.04%

1893.98%

121 2.55%

1052.21%

611.28%

Foulness and Great Wakering

4237.10%

4507.55%

2894.85%

2223.72%

191 3.20%

1372.30%

1482.48%

Grange 1935.15%

1915.09%

1524.05%

1493.97%

145 3.87%

912.43%

802.13%

Hawkwell North 3316.99%

2976.28%

2154.54%

1863.93%

142 3.00%

881.86%

1072.26%

Hawkwell South 2235.44%

2897.05%

2225.41%

2355.73%

199 4.85%

1383.37%

992.41%

Hawkwell West 2706.68%

2957.30%

2395.92%

2305.69%

144 3.57%

982.43%

621.54%

Hockley Central 3765.93%

4767.51%

3745.90%

3355.28%

336 5.30%

2433.83%

1923.03%



Ward Name 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+

Hockley North 1306.37%

1859.06%

1135.54%

944.61%

65 3.18%

462.25%

321.57%

Hockley West 1457.08%

1889.18%

1266.15%

884.30%

66 3.22%

401.95%

291.42%

Hullbridge 5227.93%

6559.95%

5388.17%

4536.88%

262 3.98%

1912.90%

1392.11%

Lodge 2967.26%

3638.91%

2315.67%

2075.08%

174 4.27%

1092.67%

681.67%

Rayleigh Central 2716.29%

3437.97%

2285.29%

2185.06%

177 4.11%

1152.67%

1102.55%

Rochford 4075.27%

4595.95%

3374.37%

3274.24%

266 3.45%

2072.68%

2513.25%

Sweyne Park 2325.21%

2295.14%

1834.11%

1072.40%

105 2.36%

781.75%

741.66%

Trinity 2286.29%

2807.72%

2165.96%

2547.01%

180 4.97%

1243.42%

852.34%

Wheatley 2235.56%

2937.30%

2215.51%

1924.78%

204 5.08%

1674.16%

1463.64%

Whitehouse 2315.80%

3177.96%

1995.00%

2145.37%

244 6.13%

1644.12%

1844.62%

ONS: 2010 Ward Population Estimates for England and Wales, mid-2009 (experimental statistics) % = total ward population

The 2008 Place Survey have the following results for people over the age of 65 (24% of the sample were over 65 years old) and provide an insight into the views of older people across the District.

Local priorities: 56% mention health services as being important while 35% state public transport.

Neighbourhood belonging: 77% feel a strong sense of belonging to their immediate neighbourhood.

Satisfaction with services: Over 65’s express the highest levels of satisfaction in relation to most services.

Contacting the Council: 10% use email and 6% use the web/internet.

Involvement on local decision making: 17% report that they would like to be involved in local decision making.

Satisfaction of with home and neighbourhood: 90% satisfied with these aspects.

General health and well being: 57% describe their health as good.

Support for older people: 29% of all respondents felt that sufficient support is available.



6 Why have a strategy for older people?

6.1 In 2007 for the first time in the UK there were more people over State Pension age than children so there is clear need for a response to this fundamental change in demographics. The greatest increasing section of older people is those aged 85 and over. With this increase in the older population, the danger that this group becomes marginalised within their community becomes a real possibility, despite recent age discrimination legislation coming into force. At the same time it is important to recognise that older people make a positive contribution to the well being of communities, through voluntary work for example. Supporting the older population is therefore an important issue for local authorities and their partners to tackle. Bearing this in mind, the Audit Commission states that most council’s are not prepared for the ageing population, with 65% of authorities either not having adopted a strategic approach or in the early stages of development.3

7 Corporate vision

7.1 The priorities and actions described in this strategy are underpinned by Rochford District Council’s corporate vision and objectives, and are clearly linked to the priorities that form Rochford District Council’s Corporate Plan:

The Council’s corporate vision is shared with that of the Local Strategic Partnership:

‘To make Rochford District a place which provides opportunities for the best possible quality of life for all who live, work and visit here’

To support this, the Council has four main corporate objectives. These are:

• Making a difference to our people

• Making a difference to our community

• Making a difference to our environment

• Making a difference to our local economy

8 Listening to the views of older people

8.1 Feedback from older people, via organisations of older people as well as those run on behalf of older people, has played a part in shaping this strategy and the output from recent consultation exercises has been taken into account.

8.2 The first Rochford LSP Information Day held in 2010 focused on older people and participants were asked to complete a short questionnaire relating to services to older people.

3 Don’t stop me now. Preparing for an ageing population, Audit Commission, July 2008



8.3 A focus group was held in mid-2010 in Hullbridge and was attended by an invited group of 15 older people from across the district.

9 Purpose of strategy

9.1 The strategy focused on practical solutions and actions that will address the needs of local older people. It will set a clear direction for developing services to people aged 50 and over for the next three years. The six overall aims of this strategy are:

• To support the financial security of older people.

• To support access to mainstream services to older people.

• To support older people to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

• To support older people to feel safe and supported in their home and their neighbourhood.

• To support older people to make a positive contribution within their community.

• Preparing RDC as an organisation to serve an ageing population.

An action plan for 2011/12 accompanies this strategy. It will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

Support the financial security of older people

Overview

One of the main factors in achieving a good quality of life in older age is financial security; having a satisfactory income and the opportunity to work if so desired. However, the reality of old age can be contrary to this view. Some people do not want to retire at 65; others find themselves unable to do so. Being able to manage on a low income can be a struggle for some older people which can limit their quality of life.

Current provision

The Council is engaged in the following work to assist older people mange their incomes:

• Providing information on benefits at community events on a regular basis.

• Providing benefits advice and assessments.

• Allocation of Discretionary Housing Benefit to those in most need.

• Co-ordination of the multi-agency Rochford Benefits Network.

• Signpost those who cannot pay their bills to the Citizens Advice Bureau and similar organisations.



• Signpost those seeking advice on employment rights to the Citizens Advice Bureau and similar organisations.

• Promotion of community shopping facilities through the ‘Shop At My Local’ scheme. This project encourages improved access to services and provides discounts and vouchers to members.

• Ensuring that the access to local shopping facilities are taken into account when preparing the Area Action Plans in the District.

Objectives for action

• Monitor the increased administration demands placed on the Benefits Service that an ageing population will bring. Link into introduction of Universal Credit.

• Continue to support financial and income advice services, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

• Continue to investigate ways to promote benefit take up with older people, working in collaboration with partners such as the Pension Service.

• Widen use of electronic claim form for Visiting Officers to use with older people.

• Evolve the community aspect of ‘Shop At My Local’.

• Economic Development Unit continuing to work to safeguard existing and generate new jobs in the District.

Supporting access to mainstream services and information for older people

Overview

Access to mainstream services and information is vital if older sections of the community are to remain independent and maintain control over their lives. Local authorities are a main conduit through which information passes and making this accessible to all remains a key priority. Access to quality advice and advocacy services are also key elements in ensuring that the well-being of older people is retained.

The Council’s Communication Strategy strives to ensure that communication with all residents is in line with expectation and need. Face to face interaction was identified as an important way of communicating at a focus group event held in Hullbridge in 2010.

Underpinning how older people access services, such as shops, leisure amenities, GP practices and hospitals, are transport facilities that can be relied on and are flexible enough to support independence. The 2008 Place Survey found that the level of traffic congestion, road and pavement repairs and public transport were in the top 5 things that most need improving in the local area. With this in mind, the integration of transport and service planning becomes an important issue.



Current provision

Examples of current initiatives that are underway to strengthen the communication and information exchange between the Council, its partners and older people include:

• Offering a personalised service to residents when they contact the Council.

• A series of service standards that apply to all residents, which are detailed in the Council’s Customer Charter.

• Using existing Access to Services information to ensure that older people can contact the Council to receive information in a way that suits them.

• Using MOSAIC data contained in the District profile to target communication activity. MOSAIC is a Geodemographic tool. Geodemographic systems estimate the most probable characteristics of people based on the pooled profile of all people living in a small area.

• LSP information Days – local partners offering information and advice on the services that they offer.

• Maintaining links with Parishes. For example, the Council helped to promote the ‘Hockley at War’ reminiscence event in partnership with the local parish council.

• Publishing information in a variety of formats.

• Access to local websites providing advice and information on services, activities, support, wills, funerals, housing, and finance.

• Supporting the National Concessionary Bus Pass scheme.

• Support to Wyvern Community Transport Scheme.


• Use of data to:

− underpin effective communication (e.g. District MOSAIC profile)

− allow appropriate ways of disseminating information with older people

• Make quality information more easily available to older people in a format convenient for them to use.

• Develop an older peoples calendar to detail events and initiatives happening locally.

• Continue to use face the public events rotating around the district as a key way of engaging with older people.



• Ensure access to new developments and neighbourhood facilities are given due priority in the LDF process.

• Ensure that emergency planning issues are communicated effectively to older members of the community.

• Continue to support the National Concessionary Bus Pass Scheme as directed by Essex County Council and central government.

• Continue to support community transport within the District

To support older people to lead healthy and active lifestyles

Overview

The pressure on social services is set to increase dramatically over the coming years. The District Council along with its health and voluntary sector partners will play a crucial role in keeping older people physically active, which will reduce the risk of ill health, and help to maintain mobility for longer. Physical and mental activity can also help to prevent stress and depression.

Current provision

The Council and its partners promote healthy and active lifestyle through the following initiatives:

• Schemes aimed at assisting the over 50’s maintain healthy lifestyles, such as Blues Bodycare Fit For Life, Active +, Health walks.

• Working with Virgin Active, the Leisure Centre contractor, to ensure provision for older people is factored into the services and activities offered.

• Linking in with health check projects, e.g. Healthy Chance.

• Falls prevention programmes run at sheltered housing units.

• Promotion of adult learning opportunities available in the District.


• Continue to provide and promote a range of sport and physical activities which appeal to the active over 50’s, on an ongoing basis.

• Support the moves put forward by some sheltered housing schemes to become ‘hubs’ for services to older people

• Promote and support NHS, Adult Social Care and housing association initiatives targeted at older people. For example, those linked to nutrition/ hydration screening, falls prevention, digital inclusion and dementia management

• Ensure regulations around safeguarding of vulnerable adults are adhered to.



To support older people to feel safe and supported in their home and their neighbourhood

Overview

Many older people will have lived in the District for a number of years and have formed a strong attachment to their home and neighbourhood. As such the demand for housing from the District’s ageing population will require a range of solutions. The Government’s Strategy, Lifetime Homes, Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society (CLG 2008) emphasises the importance of older people having access to good quality housing which is vital to helping them maintain their independence and quality of life. ‘Homes for Older People: An Accommodation Strategy for Older People in Essex 2007-2009’ (Essex County Council) says that the current housing provision in the County is inadequate in terms of people’s aspirations and expectations and the type and location of existing accommodation.

Rochford has one of the lowest rates of crime in the Eastern region. Despite this, fear of crime can have a significant impact on the quality of life of older people by creating anxiety and preventing them from participating in society to the extent they would wish. Effective communication of key community safety messages is therefore crucial.

Current provision

Older people are supported in their home and neighbourhood by the Council:

Home

• Administering the Disabled Facilities Grant and the Rochford Home Maintenance and Adaptations Grant.

• Supporting affordable warmth initiatives.

• Offering an assisted bin collection service.

• Assisting older people seeking social housing accommodation through the Housing Register and offering relevant advice.

• Supporting Essex County Council in delivery of the Supporting People programme.

Neighbourhood

• Providing community safety information and advice given out at LSP Information Days and other community events.

• Encouraging older people to participate in annual Community Safety Partnership focus group consultation.

• Communicating community Safety messages through Council website, Council newspaper, and parish newspapers.

• Organising an annual Community Safety Partnership public meeting.



• Supporting ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ and ‘Nominate a Neighbour’ schemes.

• Rolling out SelectaDNA kits older people across the District.

• Providing speakers at older people groups on a number of issues including rogue traders, tackling perceptions of crime.

• Supporting neighbourhood policing.


Home

• Continue to provide grants to older people in line with agreed targets, subject to continued funding.

• Work with RSLs and providers to assess specialist housing needs Housing support and advice to older residents.

• Through the Local Development Framework process the Council are seeking to ensure that 100% of all new developments achieve the Lifetime Homes Standard. The aim being that all new homes will be capable of adaption to meet changes to individuals' circumstances through their lifecycle, and thus enabling older people to live independently in their own homes and remain within their existing community for longer.

• Support housing opportunities for older people.

• Support assistive technology in allowing older people to remain in their homes.

• Continue bin pull out service.

• Continue to work in partnership with Housing Providers and other agencies across the District to improve housing and support for older people based on personalisation and choice.

Neighbourhood

• Communicate key community safety messages to local communities, linking in with schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch.

To support older people to make a positive contribution within their community

Overview

There has been a drive from central government since the Better Government for Older People (BGOP) programme to encourage older people to become ‘active citizens’. One of the main aims of BGOP was to: ‘improve public services for older people by better meeting their needs, listening to their views and encouraging and recognising their contribution to the modernisation of services’. The Council, and its partners, play an important role in promoting volunteering opportunities, encouraging intergenerational projects and involvement in consultation activity and civic duties.



Older people are encouraged to make a positive contribution in the following ways:

Current provision

• Citizens Panel which includes representation from older people.

• Priority given to applications from older peoples groups for grants awarded from the Council’s ‘Voluntary Organisation Grants’ fund.

• Support to RRAVS, the local CVS, to increase volunteering opportunities for older residents.

• Volunteering opportunities for council run projects, such as the Rayleigh Windmill.

• Support to those previously involved in military service through the annual Remembrance Service.

• Community transport assistance to outings and clubs.

• Participation in events such as the Rayleigh Arts Festival (15% of attendees will be over 50) and Rochford Art Trail (40% of participants will be over 50).


• Ensure that any consultation that is undertaken with local residents takes full account of the views of older people.

• Continue to support older people’s voluntary groups through the ‘Voluntary Organisations Grant’ scheme

• Formation of District wide Older People’s Forum.

• Continued promotion of volunteering opportunities for older people in partnership with RRAVS.

• Include intergenerational projects in events such as the Rayleigh Arts Festival

• Encourage voluntary organisations to share good practice at the Community Development subgroup of the Local Strategic Partnership.

Preparing RDC as an organisation to serve an ageing population

Overview

Rochford District Council, in common with local authorities across the UK must start planning now for the increase in the older population. Corporately the organisation needs have an awareness of how a greater number of older people will impact on service planning and delivery. Specific measures will need to be adopted to ensure that effective services are delivered.




• The ageing population should become a corporate issue by 2011-12, linking into budget planning.

• Ensure decisions are made using sound demographic profiling, using the expertise of partners as required.

• A designated ‘Older Persons Champion’ be appointed.

• The possible requirements of older people should be factored into future strategy design, underpinned by the Equality Impact Assessment framework.

• Create an action plan which links into existing strategies and associated action plans. Action Plan reviewed on an annual basis.

• Generate an awareness of financial modelling tools used to help tackle the ageing population – see Audit Commission guidance.

The actions identified in this strategy do not commit the Council to significant investment beyond its normal and existing activities – rather it aims to raise awareness of the increase in the ageing population within the district in coming years and encourage services to make adjustments where necessary.

The action plan will be monitored on an annual basis by the Community Planning Officer. Actions will be linked to relevant Divisional Plans where appropriate. A report to the Executive will be prepared annually relating to performance against set actions.

How you can contribute to the future development of this strategy – tell us what you think

Contact and consultation with older people, service users and partner agencies have been essential in helping us to identify the needs of Rochford’s older population. Your views continue to be invaluable to us in our efforts to improve our services for older people.



Have we covered your needs and priorities sufficiently in this strategy or have we missed out anything that should have been included?

Is there more information that you would like to receive about the services mentioned? Please list

Would you like to receive information about joining any of the forums or groups mentioned in this strategy?

Would you be interested in voluntary work? If so what areas?


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Any other comments?

Contact details

Please return to:

Community Planning Rochford District Council South Street Rochford Essex SS4 1BW


Action Plan 2011-12

To support the financial security of older people

Action Resource implications Responsibility Timeframe Milestones Comments

Monitor the increased administration demands placed on the Benefits Service that an ageing population will bring

Staff time Revenues and Benefits Manager

March 2012 – reviewed annually

• Monitor increase demands and feed into HRMT

Quarterly snap shot of caseload make-up to identify demands/tends. Link into introduction of Universal Credit

Continue to support financial and income advice services, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau

Staff time Council grant

Head of Community Services Community Planning Officer


• Feed into budget process

• Statistics provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau showing take up of services from older people

18% of total clients were over 65 in 2009/10. This number is likely to increase due to the current economic climate which has seen an increase in the number of working age people claiming benefit. The take up group have discussed possible future campaigns aimed at the over 65’s

Links in with Revenues and Benefits promotional plan.

Continue to investigate ways to promote benefit take up with older people, working in collaboration with partners such as the Pension Service and Citizens Advice Bureau



• Links in with existing mechanisms designed to measure take up of service

To be developed as part of the officer Take-Up group although it should be acknowledged that, due to finite resources, our core priorities are processing claims and collecting revenue.

• Also links with officer Take-Up Group and stakeholder Multi-Agency Group



To support the financial security of older people


Widen use of electronic claim form for Visiting Officers to use with older people


Ongoing Target not considered appropriate as service is demand lead

Take-up of service being monitored by marital status, date of birth, age, postcode and ethnic status.

The intention is to take as many claims as possible via the electronic method, however there are still some scenario’s where this will not be possible.

Evolve the community aspect of ‘Shop At My Local’

Staff time Project funding

Economic Development Officer


• Shop At My Local magazine set up

Magazine set up to promote the benefits of the scheme to wider audience, particularly those without internet access. Feedback sought from members on usefulness of the scheme / magazine from scheme feedback surveys.



To support access to mainstream services to older people


Make quality information more easily available to older people in a format convenient for them to use, on issues such as bereavement

Staff time Corporate Communications Officer/Community Planning Officer


• Survey Customers about what information they want to see and how they want to see it. Feed into Communications Strategy

Links into Communications Strategy

• Development of calendar

Develop older peoples calendar to inform older people of events and initiatives happening locally

Staff time Corporate Communications Officer/Community Planning Officer


• Develop older people’s awareness of older peoples groups operating in the District

Continue to use face the public events rotating around the district as a key way of engaging with older people

Staff time LSP/Community Planning budget

LSP Officer/Community Planning Officer


• Hold at least one older person themed event every year

Ensure access to new developments and neighbourhood facilities are given due priority in the LDF process

Staff time Planning Policy Adoption of Core Strategy. Adoption of other relevant Development Plan Documents by August 2012

Adoption of Development Plan Documents

Relates to physical access or accessibility of neighbour hood services/facilities



To support access to mainstream services to older people


Ensure that emergency planning issues are communicated effectively to older members of the community

Staff time and existing budgets

Emergency Planning Officer March 2012 – reviewed annually

• Provide information to Parish Councils to pass on to their residents. Linked to Divisional Plan

Continue to administer National Concessionary Bus Pass Scheme

Staff time Transportation Manager/ Concessionary Travel Officer

Continue to issue new and replacement passes on behalf of Essex County Council (subject to agreement – April 2012)

To ensure all residents are aware of the automatic renewal procedure

Continue to support community transport within the district

Staff time Transportation Manager Ongoing Attend WCT meetings and continue to support and promote the services provided by WCT in the district of Rochford



To support older people to lead healthy and active lifestyles


Staff time External funding Existing funding

Leisure and Cultural Services Manager

Ongoing 5 Windmill exhibitions 13,000 attendances at events, including older people

Continue to provide and promote a range of culture, sport and physical activities which appeal to the active over 50’s, on an ongoing basis. 40 Events & activities

including events for older people

2000 attendances at Wild Woods Day including older people

Blues Bodycare: Review in March re: funding

All budgets and funding are subject to spending reviews and further national announcements. Monitoring demographic at larger events such as Wild Wood Days is not possible due to large attendance figures and nature of event. Monitoring of demographic of members of Blues Bodycare and Health Walks takes place.

Promote NHS initiatives targeted at older people

Staff time LSP Officer/Community Planning Officer


• Use relevant LSP subgroups to promote initiatives

Active Living has been prioritised by the Health and Wellbeing Partnership

Ensure regulations around safeguarding of vulnerable adults are adhered to

Staff time Head of Community Services

Ongoing New Safeguarding Childrenand vulnerable adults policy produced November 2010

Safeguarding section on the intranet developed, highlighting policy, procedures and referral routes/contact details. E-learning module on general safeguarding issues and RDC Safer Recruitment policy under development to be rolled out March 2011.





Strategic Housing Manager March 2012 – reviewed annually

Measures re time taken to approve and complete works

New measurers introduced to monitor who receives grants.

Continue to provide Disabled Facilities Grants and Rochford Maintenance Grants to older people in line with agreed targets

Staff time Capital Budget funds both. DFG part funding by grant Refer to Divisional Plan for

detail Policy may be reviewed in the future

Provide housing options advice for older people and people with specific support needs

Staff time Strategic Housing Manager Ongoing Target not considered appropriate as service is demand led

Advice provided on a continuing basis as and when required.

Housing support and advice to owner occupiers

Staff time Strategic Housing Manager Ongoing Target not considered appropriate as service is demand led

Advice provided on a continuing basis as and when required.

Continue with the assisted collection service

Small amount of Staff time in administering this service

Street Scene and Open Spaces Manager

Ongoing

There are no additional costs arising from this from the council waste management contract

No targets set for contractor. In March 2011 436 residents on the scheme. Approx. 346 of service users are over 65. Age range of service users not routinely monitored but an annual snapshot will be recorded.

This service is provided to all residents requiring this service, anyone contacting the council or who RDC identifies as needing this service will be provided with it, at no charge.





Staff time Strategic Housing Manager Ongoing Choice Based Lettings introduced 2011.

Work with Registered Providers when required.

Continue to work in partnership with Housing Providers and other agencies across the District to improve housing and support for older people based on personalisation and choice.

Work with RegisteredProviders to identify needs of older people and possible improvements to their sheltered schemes.

Communicate key community safety messages to local communities, linking in with schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch

Staff time and future funding for Community Safety Partnerships

Community Safety Manager Ongoing. Linked to CSP targets set in related action plans

Increase the number of NHW co-ordinators across the District. Baseline figure of 180 increased by 5% in 2011/12.

Support Information Days and groups representing older people to convey community safety messages

Promote and publicise the work of Rochford District Community Safety Partnership.

Key priority identified in CSP Strategic Assessment 2010/2011 Links into Community Safety messages conveyed through both the RDC Community Safety Team and Rochford District Community Safety Partnership.





Require all new housing built in the District to meet the Lifetime Homes Standard

Staff time. Evidence base to support requirement from existing budgets

Planning Policy Adoption of Core Strategy. Adoption of other relevant Development Plan Documents by August 2012

• Adoption of Core Strategy

Requirement for all new homes to meet Lifetime Homes Standard has been challenged by objectors as part of examination into soundness of Core Strategy. Awaiting Inspector’s decision on whether requirement will be included in final Core Strategy.



To support older people to make a positive contribution within their community


Staff time Community Planning Officer

Ongoing • Refresh old citizens panel

• Prepare quarterly email newsletter for group members with email. Other group members to receive bi-annual hard copy newsletter

Ensure that any consultation that is undertaken with local residents takes full account of the views of older people

• Ensure group has representation from older people

Formation of District wide Older People’s Forum



• Group set up


Ongoing • Ensure voluntary groups representing older people are invited to relevant LSP meetings

Continued promotion of volunteering opportunities for older people in partnership with RRAVS

• RRAVS Volunteering newsletter sent to older people groups



Preparing RDC as an organisation for the ageing population


The ageing population should become a corporate issue by 2011-12, linking into budget planning

Staff time SMT March 2012 – reviewed annually

• Ageing population implications factored into Council decisions

• Champion appointed A designated ‘Older Persons Champion’ be appointed


March 2012 – reviewed annually • Training completed for

Champions role

Create an action plan which links into existing strategies and associated action plans. Action Plan reviewed on an annual basis


Autumn 2011 – on publication of strategy

• Action plan produced

Generate an awareness of financial modelling tools used to help tackle the ageing population – see Audit Commission guidance

Staff time Head of Finance March 2012 – reviewed annually

• Tools evaluated


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Ageing Population Strategy Action Plan – Risk Implications

Key risks to achieving Staff not aware of the issues involved with the ageing population. Partners not engaging on the agenda Financial restraints/changes to existing funding arrangements

Risk Likeli-hood (1-6 Low- High)

Impact (1-4 Low-High)

Risk Rating

Quality of controls

Next Review Date

1. Staff not aware of the issues involved with the ageing population 3 2 Low Good March 2012

2. Partners not engaging on the agenda 3 2 Low Good March 2012

3 Financial restraints/changes to existing funding arrangement 3 3 Medium Good March 2012

Key actions to mitigate risk Ensure strategy is publicised widely to staff Present Council approach to partners. Use LSP as a mechanism for maintaining partners support Ensuring that actions link in with existing projects/initiatives

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